Maserati A6 road cars

Welcome to juanh, for whom I had in mind to make a Formula One post today... but I completely forgot about my initial plan, so here is something quite different.

A little history

Though its road cars are probably more renown today than its racing cars are, Maserati basically remained focused on competition for the first four decades of its history. Even if this dramatically changed after the introduction of the 3500GT in 1957, some road cars, closely related to the machines raced by the little factory, had already been produced in very small numbers since the end World War Two. This all started with the A6/1500, a small 1.5-litre car usually bodied by Pinin Farina. Though its six-cylinder engine was based on the machinery of the pre-war Maserati single-seaters, its power was down to a modest 65 hp, mostly due to the mandatory low-grade gasoline that was available – hardly easily, still – in the country at that time. Following its introduction at the 1947 Geneva motor show, the A6/1500 was produced in sixty-one copies until 1950, when the company seemed to distance itself from road-going automobiles to concentrate again on racing cars. This situation didn’t last and, at the Turin motor show in 1951, Maserati presented the A6G, based on the A6’s chassis, but fitted with a 100-hp 2-liter engine again based on a racing block. Unfortunately, the A6G’s design was too much dated and its engine still too modest despite its larger displacement to compete with Ferrari’s models, resulting in abysmal sales – no more than sixteen A6G were produced until 1954. For the anecdote, a Maserati light truck, the 550 cc or electrically-powered TM15, was also introduced at Turin in 1951 and didn’t really fare better, with only fifty-one being built until 1956 when the utility market was abandoned without regrets.

With its placid engine but excellent tubular chassis, the A6 soldiered on for a few more years. The A6G was succeeded at the 1954 Paris motor show by the more potent 150-hp A6G/2000. Just before this, five copies of the A6GCS/53 sportscar had been converted to a 170-hp Gran Turismo coupe fitted with a muscular Pinin Farina body, but these were the result of a private initiative rather than a venture from the factory. The A6G/2000 gave way to the much more ambitious Maserati 3500 GT in 1957, by which time its production number had reached the staggering figure of sixty...

About the model

Model: Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta
Year: 1954
Maker: Ricko Ricko
Scale: 1/18
Distributed by: Ricko Ricko ref. 32151
Acquired: brand new, in March 2006, in Manila, Philippines

Ricko has tastefully reproduced one of the four coupes Pinin Farina built out of the A6GCS for Maserati’s dealer in Rome and occasional racing driver, Guglielmo Dei. My point of view is certainly debatable, but I’d like to think this is one of the most striking car ever penned by the famous Italian coachbuilder, allying in equal proportion feline beauty and brutal strength. The die-cast model is well worthy of the original, and deserves a good 14/20 rating.

Maserati Mistral

A little history

From its recent intrusion into the world of GT constructors to the early Sixties, Maserati mostly produced 2+2 coupes, but was willing to add a strict two-seater to its range. Such a car was introduced during the 1963 Turin motor show. Until it was officially put on sale in early 1964, this “Tipo 109” was simply called Due Posti, then renamed Mistral, inaugurating the House of the Trident’s habit of christening its cars after famous winds.

The Mistral was initially available as a coupe, but a convertible immediately followed at the Geneva motor show, in the spring of 1964. Both versions shared the same elegant style by Pietro Frua, even if the car was constructed at Maggiora’s. Suspension was independent at the front, though a rigid axle was still fitted at the rear; transmission was through a 5-speed manual gearbox provided by ZF; and brakes were Girling power-assisted disks on all four wheels. While the convertible inherited the larger Sebring’s 3.5-litre, 235 bhp straight six, the coupe received a slightly larger block (3.7-litre, 245 bhp).

A beautiful car, still acknowledged today as one of the most gorgeous Maserati ever, the Mistral had performances to match (a 230 kph top speed and 0-100 in about 7 seconds). Perhaps the only complaint from users came from the tricky Lucas fuel injection system, which was difficult to adjust properly. Nonetheless the car sold well. In 1966, its engine was enlarged to a 4.0-litre displacement and 255 bhp output. Under this guise, the car was produced until 1969, a few of the 830 coupes and 125 convertibles ever assembled being sold until 1970. No direct successor followed, though it can be assumed that the Ghibli, introduced a few years before and to which a convertible had just been added, can be considered its heir.

About the model

Model: Maserati Mistral Spyder
Year: 1964
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Ixo, “Maserati” series ref. CLC077
Acquired: brand new, in February 2007, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Ixo produces an excellent Mistral, which in particular enjoys superb wire wheels. The coupe, with its typical fastback silhouette and large, rounded rear window, is also available as ref. CLC076. The year given by Ixo (1963) is rather peculiar as production didn’t start until the following year and, at any rate, the convertible wasn’t introduced before 1964. My rating is 15/20.

Maserati 420

A little history

Though a Duesenberg won a Grand Prix during the early Twenties and Indy cars’ specifications closely followed those in use in Europe for a long time, by the Fifties the motor racing scenes on both sides of the Atlantic were totally disconnected. The Indianapolis 500 race had been included by the FIA as part on the World Championship for pilots as early as a Formula One’s crown had been awarded, but to no avail.

In 1957, an attempt was made to reconcile the two drifting aspects of motor racing through the well-named “Race of Two Worlds”, held in Monza. The banked oval had just been thoroughly renovated. The similarity between this circuit and the Indy track begot the tantalizing plan of bringing over American teams, accustomed to this sort of venue, and confront them with entrants from the Old World. A tempting money prize was gathered and a trophy was crafted for the winner of a 500-mile event, ran in three heats.

During its first test an American team demonstrated speeds in excess of those reached at Indianapolis by a hefty 50 kph. Concerns about safety soon arose, and European entrants shied away. The race became a walkover for the American cars, which only real competitors were the three Jaguar D-Types brought by the Ecurie Ecosse, sportscars what were hopelessly slow in an event they were not designed for. Interest was limited for the public and the press reflected the race’s lack of gleam. However, a second Race of Two Worlds was held in 1958, and this time European teams involved themselves a little more to face the American challenge. Though Ferrari’s effort was rather improvised, Jaguar and even more Maserati were well prepared.

Thanks to the sponsoring of Eldorado, a local brand of ice-cream, Maserati was able to develop a specific car for the race. Though this 420 resembled its 250F Formula One, it was a much larger machine, sitting on the same wide Firestone tyres the American teams were using. A potent V8 engine fed with alcohol sat slightly outboard in order to offset the effect of the huge forces pushing the car outwards in the high-speed curves. Stirling Moss was to drive this custom-built monster. Despite being theorically competitive, this too-green Maserati lacked the experience of the American machines, which were used year-round and did not evolve much from one season to the next.

Qualifying no higher than eleventh, Moss nevertheless had a brilliant first heat and finished fourth – the first non-American finisher. In heat two, the Brit battled for the second place for most of the race, but didn’t finish better than fifth, though he once again had the satisfaction of being the first European. During the third and last heat, the Maserati’s steering suddenly broke as Moss was entering a curve at high speed. Out of control the car crashed into the rails, and though its pilot was fine, his race was over… and so was the career of the forgotten Maserati 420, a machine purposely built for an event that would soon die by lack of interest.

About the model

Model: Maserati 420M/58 “Eldorado”
Year: 1958
Event: 1958 Race of Two Worlds, driven by Stirling Moss (retired)
Maker: Grani & Partners
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Poligrafici as no.23 of its Maserati press series
Acquired: new with neither box nor stand (probably a production overrun or quality control reject), in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

Though not the best press series I’ve seen in terms of quality, this Poligrafici collection, reserved to the Italian market, was extremely attractive. Its models were often original, and generally well done. I’ll give a 12/20 rating to this one.

Maserati 8CTF

A little history

Between 1934 and 1937, Grand Prix were run with no other limit than weight. This gave birth to such monsters as the Mercedes-Benz and the Auto Union, which crushed all of their rivals. The switch to a new formula for 1938 (4.5 litre normally aspirated, 3 litres supercharged) gave hopes to some that the German teams’ invincibility could come to an end. Maserati was among those, and prepared a new machine, the 8CTF, of which three chassis were built. This optimism was short-lived though, as both Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union proved able to dominate the new formula as they had done with the old.

An unexpected success awaited the 8CTF nonetheless. The third chassis was sold to the U.S., and the two ex-works cars soon followed the same way after the Maserati factory lost all interest in them. In 1939, Wilbur Shaw won his second Indianapolis 500 with an 8CTF and, even better, renewed his victory during the next edition of the race. In 1941, he had to retire, but was then again leading the race. The three Maseratis suddenly became very popular among American drivers. Actually, the very last 8CTF to appear on the paved oval was an ex-works car which unsuccessfully tried to qualify in… 1954! Most late entries had been re-equipped with 4.5-litre Offenhauser engines, replacing the original 3-litre Maserati. Hard to believe nowadays as any car winning a major event is immediately sent to a museum, Shaw’s double-winning car was entered eight times at Indianapolis until 1950!

About the model

Model: Maserati 8CTF “Boyle Special”
Year: 1939
Event: 1939 Indianapolis 500, driven by Wilbur Shaw (overall winner)
Maker: Grani & Partners
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Poligrafici as no.13 of its Maserati press series
Acquired: new with neither box nor stand (probably a production overrun or quality control reject), in December 2006, in Hong Kong, S.A.R.

This model was part of an Italian press series and, as most Grani & Partners products, its quality is more than acceptable. The plastic wire wheels and front grille are as good as can be, only photo-etched parts could possibly be better. Too bad these models are so hard to find for non-Italian collectors. My rating is 12/20.

Maserati 3500 GT

A little history

Despite its long history, Maserati didn’t build many road cars before 1957, having concentrated all of its efforts on racing cars. In March that year, the company introduced the superb 3500 GT at the Geneva auto show. Initially sold as a coupe designed by Touring, it was joined in 1960 by a similarly elegant spider made by Vignale along the same lines as the original coupe. The first fuel injection system fitted to an Italian car is to put to the credit of the 3500 GTi, released in 1961. Production of the 3500 GT lasted until 1964, though some bare chassis were sold later. Its replacement, the Sebring, was largely similar from a mechanical point of view, but fitted with a brand new body, again a Vignale creation.

(This car’s history will be expanded in due time, please be patient.)

About the model

Model: Maserati 3500 GT
Year: 1961
Maker: Minichamps
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Minichamps, limited edition - 4,032 pieces
Acquired: brand new, in May 2006, in Manila, Philippines

Nice model - what else to expect from Minichamps? Well, perfection actually doesn't exist so mine came with a damaged front licence plate, as can be seen on the pictures. The German brand put to good use photo-etched metal for the free-standing trident in front of the grille, so why the windshield wipers are so cheaply made (here we go again...) is well beyond my comprehension. Good looking steering wheel, too - I hope the picture below does it justice. I have to admit that the little disappointment regarding the licence plate probably influenced my rating, a (relatively) modest 13/20.

Maserati Ghibli

A little history

At the 1966 Turin autoshow, Maserati added the Ghibli to a range that already included the 2-seater Mistral, the 4-seater Mexico and the 4-door Quattroporte. The large coupe retained the 4.7-litre V8, good for 330 bhp, already fitted to the later two of its companions. It also followed the practice inaugurated by the Mistral of naming the road cars bearing the famous Trident after a wind - Ghibli is the Italian name for what non-Italians call Sirocco. Hence a much more plebeian Volkswagen shared the inspiration for its name with one of the greatest Maseratis of all times.

Though rival Ferrari had long, strong links with Pininfarina, Maserati didn't have any designer attached to its name in the same fashion. Out of the three other cars in production, two had been imagined by Frua and one by Bertone, while the Ghibli was penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, then an employee at Ghia. In the process, young Giugiaro drew the lines of what many enthousiasts think is the best-looking GT ever. Praising Maserati above all other Italian Gran Turismo makers, I certainly agree with such an opinion.

The Ghibli hit the market as the first Lamborghini Miuras, launched at Geneva earlier the same year, were being produced. While the Miura was a radical car closely inspired by racing prototypes, the Ghibli was much more traditional, featuring a front engine fed by a bank of four Weber carburettors. Transmission was to the rear wheels through a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox, though an automatic Borg-Warner, necessary to cater to the American market, was also available. Maserati seemed conforted in its relative traditionalism when its largest rival Ferrari unveiled the Daytona, which layout follows the same lines as the Ghibli's, at Turin in late 1968. The main boldness of the Ghibli resided in its pop-up headlights.

As the Maranello company introduced the Daytona, Maserati didn't stay idle. At the very same Turin motor show was presented the Ghibli Spyder, the convertible version of the original Ghibli. Altering the supreme lines of the coupe wasn't an easy task; it was splendidly accomplished nonetheless. To guarantee total gracefulness to the Spyder, it was decided that the hood would be totally enclosed when folded. This noticeably reduced the boot's size, but allowed to keep intact the long horizontal lines of the car when seen from the side.

Both the coupe and the Spyder evolved into new "SS" versions at the end of 1970. A slight increase in stroke boosted the engine's displacement to 4.9 litres. The output was virtually unchanged, at 335 bhp. This improvement partially compensated for the loss recorded by Ghiblis sold on the U.S. market, which were seeing their power eroded by increasing emissions regulations. Nevertheless the Ghibli's production was slowing down, and a replacement was becoming more and more necessary. It finally came in the form of the Khamsin, with was presented in 1972 but didn't enter production before 1974.

About the models

Model: Maserati Ghibli
Year: 1969
Maker: Minichamps
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Minichamps ref. 400-123321, limited edition - 2,544 pieces
Acquired: brand new, in February 2006, in Manila, Philippines

There isn't much to reproach to Minichamps about this model. Perhaps the German die-casts maker somewhat lags behind some of its competitors by fitting relatively crude plastic windshield wipers to its models instead of fine photo-etched ones. Apart from this detail, all the beauty of the real car holds in less than twelve centimetres. My rating would be 16/20.









Model: Maserati Ghibli Spyder
Year: c.1969
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Ixo, "Maserati" series ref. CLC053
Acquired: brand new, in April 2006, in Manila, Philippines

Minichamps' Chinese arch-rival came up with a good reproduction of the Ghibli... until it is put side by side with the German maker's rendition. Though Ixo made an honest job, any comparison that can be made invariably turns to Minichamps' advantage. Even Ixo's people seem to acknowledge this fact, for they astutely fitted their Ghibli with wire wheels, knowing that photo-etched metal is one of their strong points, instead of the alloy wheels for which Minichamps opted. Despite all this, my rating would still attain a commendable 13/20... but for a relatively small difference in price, my preference definitely goes to the Minichamps version of the car.

Please note that Ixo, as far as I remember, also reproduces a version of the convertible coupe with its hood folded down.